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Welcome to the second year of advancement opportunities. Sponsored by the Trailblazer District of the Mid-America Council in conjunction with our hosts at Iowa Western Community College. We hope that the enhancements we have implemented for 2009 will continue to provide a quality learning environment for Scouts and Scouters.

Once again we will be the receipients of quality facilities and instruction at Iowa Western's Council Bluffs campus. Several Eagle-required merit badges and a number of other exciting merit badge offerings will provide fun with a challenge. Scoutmaster Fundamentals will be offered for adult leader and interested parents. In addition, a revised Webelos program (2nd year only) has been designed to make this event a great opportunity for troops to invite potential new Boy Scouts to participate with them while preparing for the upcoming bridging over to the troops. Please remember that our focus continues to be on providing an instructional environment with some of the best counselors in this area and that all requirements for most merit badges will not be completed at the college. However, we do strive to provide the opportunity for the significant portion of work to be done here in most cases.

For 2009 our event is paperless and electronic. In lieu of processing blue cards, all advancement information will be posted on the class roster reports online. It will be the responsibility of the unit leader to download this information for their Scouts and to process that information according to the procedures utilized by the unit. Each Scout must have a merit badge book to be successful at this event. Please be sure to take attendance and provide a report to the college of requirements completed and whether a boy has successfully completed the merit badge or only fulfilled partial requirements for the award. Indicate whether you will be available for post-college counseling. Please try to limit the amount of work requested before the college so that the boys may gain the value of your experience in the classroom.

PLEASE BE ADVISED: Currently the system will not let us assign a separate cost for Scoutmaster Training and for Adults in Attendance.  All registrations will total to $15.  Before you send your check, please check your roster and submit the appropriate fees. Disregard the amount at the bottom of your unit roster printout!  Please send a copy of that print out with your payment. Thank you.

All fees must be sent via mail to the below address. Payment must be received within 10 days of registration and no later than close of business November 18, 2009. Because of the popularity of the college and certain merit badges, if payment is not recieved within 10 days of registration and you do not make arrangements with the Dean of the College, registration for your unit may be deleted.  If you feel that your payment may not be received by the deadline via postal service you must contact the Dean of College to make arrangement to hand deliver your payment by the deadline. Only one check per unit, please. Multiple checks will be returned and registrations will not be processed.

Checks should be made payable to Mid-America Council, BSA and addressed to:

Southwest Iowa Merit Badge College

c/o Jim Bunch

PO Box 118

Underwood, IA 51576

Iowa Western Community College is easily accessible from I-80, exit 8 (US- 6) and heading west approximately ¾-mile. You can also approach from the west on US-6 after travel through Council Bluffs. Signs will be displayed giving on-campus directions to the Merit Badge College. The address of Iowa Western is 2700 College Road, Council Bluffs, IA 51503. Feel free to plan your trip at www.mapquest.com.